Super Moist Banana Bread

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Banana Bread is a type of quick bread. It is a bread that is leavened with agents other than yeast or eggs. In this recipe today, we will be combining two mixing methods. First, the butter and sugar are creamed together, then the eggs and liquid flavours are added in (creaming method). Secondly, the wet ingredients and the dry ingredients are measured separately (stirring method), and then they will be added to the dry ingredients and quick mixed with a spatula to prevent over mixing.

Key things for a awesome banana bread:

1. Do not over mix the batter. The more you mix the tougher the end product, so make sure when you mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, you mix just enough to not create too much gluten.

2. Preheat the oven! You do not want to make the banana bread batter, and let it sit on the counter while you are preheating the oven.

3. Brown sugar! Gives it a rich delicious sweetness, but your banana bread will be a tad darker. However, the recipe works just as well with granulated sugar.

How to know when your banana loaf is done:

1. A few things to look for is a springy centre, basically if you poke ur finger in the middle of the bread, your finger will not leave a impresser, but the item will spring back.

2. A toothpick or skewer will come out clean with very view crumbs attached when inserted in the centre of the loaf. If you see moist batter, the item will need more time to bake.

Banana Bread Variations:

1. Banana Cinnamon Bread – 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon to dry mixture

2. Banana Nut Bread – Sprinkle the top with 1/4 cup of walnut or pecans

3. Banana Streusel Bread – Sprinkle with a streusel

4. Coconut Banana Bread – Mix 1/2 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut flakes into the dry mixture and sprinkle shredded coconut flakes on top of the batter before baking

5. Banana Chocolate Bread – 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips when adding the wet mixture to the dry mixture

6. Whole Wheat Banana Bread – substitute whole wheat flour in for all-purpose flour

7. Healthy Apple Banana Bread – substitute applesauce in for the butter to cut calories and fat

8. Healthy Coconut Oil Banana Bread – substitute coconut oil in for the butter

9. Oatmeal Banana Bread – Change the flour to 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup rolled oats

10. Banana Muffins – Pour into prepared muffin cups to about 3/4 full. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degree F

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Super Moist Banana Bread Makes 1 Loaf 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 3/4 cup brown sugar (1 cup if you like it more sweet or 1/2 cup for less sweet) 2 eggs 2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 1/2 cup mashed overripe banana (about 4 bananas or 1lb) 2 tablespoon milk or buttermilk (whatever you have on hand)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

3. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt.

4. Create a well in the flour mixture.

5. Next, in another bowl, mash the bananas with a whisk or fork.

6. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together butter and brown.

7. Stir in eggs and mix till well blended.

8. Next stir in the vanilla extract.

9. Then add the mashed bananas and mix until well blended.

10. Add the milk and mix well.

11. Then add the banana mixture into the well.

12. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just enough until there is no more flour.

13. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.

14. Lightly tap the loaf pan on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles in the batter.

15. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes but start checking the bread at the 45 minute mark.

16. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Notes Banana Bread Variations:

- Banana Cinnamon Bread - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon to dry mixture - Banana Nut Bread - Sprinkle the top with 1/4 cup of walnut or pecans - Banana Streusel Bread - Sprinkle with a streusel - Coconut Banana Bread - Mix 1/2 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut flakes into the dry mixture and sprinkle shredded coconut flakes on top of the batter before baking - Banana Chocolate Bread - 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips when adding the wet mixture to the dry mixture - Whole Wheat Banana Bread - substitute whole wheat flour in for all-purpose flour - Healthy Apple Banana Bread - substitute applesauce in for the butter to cut calories and fat - Healthy Coconut Oil Banana Bread - substitute coconut oil in for the butter - Oatmeal Banana Bread - Change the flour to 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup rolled oats - Banana Muffins - Pour into prepared muffin cups to about 3/4 full. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degree F